Who are we?

Jo’s Thing launched in 2010 when Jo Andrews, having transformed her own life, fitness and body shape, decided to ditch her corporate life and do something much more worthwhile: give Mums back their confidence.

Although there have been some changes along the way, the key values which Jo set out to create are still core to the business: to provide a safe, fun and supportive environment for women of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels to come and workout, get fit and achieve beyond what they thought possible.

In 2012, Jo ran out of hours in the day and encouraged Ros to hop aboard – one of the best recruitments ever! We have different styles, different strengths and very different body shapes but what we both have in common is achieving the best for each and every client. We do take our fitness seriously but there’s always time for a laugh…

We’ve achieved some amazing things in five years, but there’s lots more to come!

As a teen I’d competed across Europe in gymnastics, but a corporate career with too much travelling, combined with having 3 kids in 4 years left me approaching 40 rather more round than I’d ever been before.

Having tried and failed to diet, I entered the London Marathon in 2007. It was terrifying and exciting all at once and it reignited my passion for sport which I hadn’t experienced for over 20 years. 2008 saw me run my first sub 4hour marathon (London again) and also win a silver medal at the British Indoor Rowing Championships.

In 2009 I had a dabble with triathlon entering a couple of relay events and then a solo effort at Dorney Lake, which I won!

I entered the British Rowing Championships again and again won a silver medal. I went one step further in 2010 and entered the World Indoor Rowing Championships which took place in Boston, USA, where I came 4th.

It was at this point that I decided if I could do all these things and love it, then so could other women who’d had kids! And so Jo’s Thing began.

In 2015 I got back into competitive indoor rowing and added two World Records to my titles. I also managed my first ever road race podium finish (Cyprus 10k) which I managed to repeat in 2016 and then finally made it to the top spot in March 2017.

A switch back to rowing later in the year led towards another Rowing World Record in September 2017, the hardest one yet!

I’m a fully qualified REPS registered level 3 Personal Trainer, qualifying with Master Trainer status at the European Institute of Fitness in Xabia, Spain in 2010. I’m also a qualified PadBox instructor, an Extreme Kettlebell Instructor, an Advanced Strap Trainer (TRX), a First Aider and am fully insured.

Ros didn’t start her fitness journey until she was in her 50’s, which is utterly unbelievable when you look at her achievements. She is a phenomenal athlete, easily qualifying for ‘good for age’ for international marathons and managing strength moves which many take years to achieve. She regularly wins her age category in races and even won the fastest overall female in the SuperHeroes race on Hove Lawns!

More recently, she came second in the Cyprus 10k in March 2017.

She has run the Brighton and London Marathons both twice and the Boston Marathon once. I’m very sure she’ll do both at least once more!

Ros has an understated, gentle approach to her role as a trainer. She is kind and encouraging but gets people doing things they never dreamt of even attempting! As well as being a fully qualified REPs registered Level 3 Personal Trainer, she is also Level 3 GP and Exercise Referral and Level 4 Cancer and Exercise Rehabilitation qualified, a first aider and fully insured.